Archives

July 2016

Lost bags? The good news 

It’s a staggering statistic, and an indication of the mechanics of the aviation industry, but US airlines collected in excess of US$900m in baggage fees during the first quarter of 2016. This is according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Of the carriers listed, American Airlines came out on top, having collected the most baggage fees, with some US$262.5m accrued during the quarter.

That profitability is soon to be eroded, though, as newly-introduced measures will oblige carriers to refund passengers in full for any baggage fees charged in the event of mislaid luggage. Specifically, this payment will be triggered automatically where a domestic bag is delayed 12 hours or more; on international flights, that delay period rises to 15 hours. All the passenger has to do is notify the airline in question.

July 2016

Death of driver sparks fleet changes

Following an incident at Lester Pearson International airport last April, when a baggage tractor driver was killed after his vehicle tipped over, Air Canada has been ordered to attach seatbelts to several hundred vehicles at airports across the country.

However, investigators have not actually revealed what they believe to have caused the accident. The reaction has also involved Air Canada checking its fleet of GSE for any faults or defects: the carrier has until November to comply with the order, which will involve upwards of 950 vehicles in all.

The fitting of seatbelts to GSE remains something of a controversial topic, however, with parties both for and against the procedure. Certainly, their fitting will prevent the ejection of an operator in the event of an overturn but by the same token, seatbelts also inhibit egress in the case of an emergency.

 

July 2016

United comes out on top

United has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work” for 2016 by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network.

United Airlines achieved the top scJuly 2016 uploadore of 100% on the 2016 Disability Equality Index, a prominent benchmarking metric that rates US companies on their disability inclusion policies and practices. This designation also earns United a place on DEI’s 2016 “Best Places to Work” list.

The DEI, a joint initiative by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network, evaluates companies based on four categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices and community engagement and support services.

“This recognition is the result of the dedication from our employees all around the world that help ease travel for our customers, and build a culture that embraces our employees with disabilities,” commented Mike Bonds, United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labour Relations. “We continue to invest in technology and training programmes that improve accessibility, and remain committed to promoting an inclusive work environment.”

July 2016

Wichita Eisenhower gains cargo service

Southwest Airlines is to commence its Southwest Cargo service at Wichita EisenhREN southwestower National airport.

The service, which begins on Thursday July 14, will be launched in partnership with Leadfoot Express, an indirect air cargo carrier: this latter will collect and drop off shipments for customers. Southwest Cargo, though, isn’t the first at the station for FedEx, DHL, UPS and UPS Supply Chain Solutions are already established there.

Southwest has said that it will make use of its fleet of Next Generation Boeing 737 passenger jets for the service. In Wichita, the cargo will be shipped on one of Southwest’s four daily flights to St Louis, Phoenix and Las Vegas. An international option is not on the cards at present, however.

June 2016

Spirit and ground handlers edge towards agreement

It is understood that Spirit Airlines and its ramp service team members (located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport) have ratified a tentative agreement, completing the negotiation of their first collective bargaining agreement.

According to a Spirit spokesperson, the team members ratified an interim agreement in June that covers wages, job security, union security and benefits.

This agreement also addresses job scope, workers’ hours of service and overtime, seniority and uniform as well as health and safety issues.

 

June 2016

American Airlines Cargo launches operations in New Zealand

American Airlines Cargo today launched a daily nonstop service between its Los Angeles hub and Auckland, New Zealand.

The new route will connect traffic through Los Angeles to over 200 destinations in North and Latin America. Thanks to the fuel-efficiency of the Boeing 787 aircraft, AA Cargo will be able to reach this new international location directly. The Auckland route is part of the company’s efforts to expand operations in the Pacific, including other new routes to Haneda and Sydney.

Managing Director, Cargo Sales – West, Joe Goode, commented positively on the development, saying: “Our teams at LAX and in the Pacific have been especially excited for the launch of the new 787 service to New Zealand. We look forward to a strong demand on the cargo front between AKL and LAX, and anticipate additional demand beyond New Zealand into Australia using our interline partners.”

On its debut journey out of Los Angeles, America’s freighter aircraft is carrying a variety of perishables and other consolidated freight, and will return from Auckland carrying medical supplies and mining machinery. Reportedly, some of the most common commodities shipped into and out of the region include e-commerce goods, perishables, horticulture products and chilled fish and meats.

Complementing the company’s existing role for the carrier, American Airlines has appointed GSA Cargo Service as its sales agent in Auckland. Menzies Aviation will provide ground handling services for the carrier, with freight reception through its cargo central facility.

June 2016

SAT FOD 2 (REN)FOD highlighted by FSS

Flight Services and Systems hosted its First Annual FOD Awareness Day on June 14 in an effort to increase awareness over the subject and to discuss and promote the safety topic of FOD.  Each of its stations that has a ramp operation participated in the FOD Awareness Day.

In the event, all of the stations discussed FOD with their teams throughout the day; in fact, FOD was the safety topic for the pre-flight safety huddles and for each safety briefing. Every FSS Station Leader also hosted an open discussion on the topic of FOD to ensure that each of the company’s employees fully understood a number of points, including what to do in the event of locating FOD and whether a report needs to be filed.

June 2016

Delta and Virgin announce new routes between the US and UK for 2017

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic yesterday announced changes to summer 2017 schedules, in a drive to improve their joint network between the US and the UK.

For Delta Air Lines, the move sees the addition of three new services, launching next year.

Initially, the airline will add a second London Heathrow to Detroit service as of March 26, 2017. This new flight replaces Virgin Atlantic’s daily Detroit to London Heathrow service. A new four times a week seasonal service from London Heathrow to Portland will then begin on May 26, 2017, which is to be the first between this US West Coast city and London. The day prior, on May 25, the airline will initiate a third London Heathrow to Atlanta frequency, taking over the second daily service currently operated by Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate one daily London Heathrow to Atlanta service.

For Virgin Atlantic changes will also be taking place next year. Beginning March 26, 2017, the airline will start flying daily service between London Heathrow and Seattle, replacing the one currently operated by Delta. Additionally, a daily nonstop service between Manchester and New York JFK will commence May 25 next year, replacing the one currently operated by Delta. Delta will then resume this service for the winter 2017.

May 2016

Saker gets off to a flying start

Saker Aviation Services, which operates in the aviation services segment and serves as the operator of a heliport, an FBO and acts as a consultant for a seaplane base, has announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Revenues and operating income for the three months totaled US$2,967,080 and US$373,078 respectively; these figures are up by 19.3% and 341.5%, compared to figures taken for the same period last year. A 17.6% upturn in total fuel gallons offset lower average fuel costs, which led to lower average fuel prices charged: this had the effect of driving fuel sales revenue up 9.9%. A corresponding increase in services and supply items contributed to the 19.3% rise in total revenues.

Commenting on the results, company President Ron Ricciardi said that it was an excellent beginning to the year, with double-digit increases in revenue and triple-digit improvement to operating income.

May 2016

AERO Specialties awarded for excellence by US Department of Commerce

During a ceremony in Washington yesterday, AERO Specialties became one of 123 companies and organizations across the US to earn the President’s “E” Award for exporting excellence.

Brad Streeter, General Manager for the company, commented on the achievement.
“It is gratifying to have this award bestowed on us, as we have worked hard to build a global market for our aviation ground support equipment.
“Thanks to the US Commercial Service, AERO Specialties has developed mutually beneficial relationships with many international organizations that have contributed to our success.”

The US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, praised the recipients for their efforts and achievement, saying:”The recipients being honored today demonstrate the opportunity inherent in selling Made-in-America products to the broad customer base that exists outside our borders.Their success contributes to growth, job creation, competitiveness, and the success of the American economy,” she concluded.

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